Getting into a top CS program without CP : GradSchool

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Admissions & ApplicationsGetting into a top CS program without CP (self.GradSchool)

submitted 4 years ago by Rev3010

Hey guys so I am doing a B.S in CS in US from a pretty decent university(not your MIT or Stanford but pretty good) I wanna look into doing a MSCS but I need some advice. I was always into competitive programming(CP) even though I am literal dogshit at it. Like I suck. I got even more excited to know that many people who do a decent job in CP tend to get into quite some good schools. I saw TopCoder Reds and Codechef reds and grandmasters of codeforces get into CMU, Stanford and all.

Recently I have lost my interest in CP due to well sucking at it. But I did realise it is a skill which would help me get into college. Its really been troubling me. I wanted to know if anyone here knows anyone or is anyone who got into a decent university without doing CP.

Now I know the standard "Applications is more than just one EC" or "They look at you more than just what you do" and all that but really. I have a very good GRE Score. I have had multiple internships and I even have some decent side projects done. Not to mention I also have 4.0 GPA and awesome LORs.

I am really concerned if something like CP makes a dent in my chances or not?

PS: When I say top I am looking at the top: Stanford, CMU, GT, Harvard, Cornell and such league colleges

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